Epsom Derby 2023 runners and riders: A horse-by-horse guide
The biggest race of the British Flat season, the Epsom Derby, is nearly upon us.
Here, Telegraph Sport gives you the rundown on every horse entered in the race along with a rating and the latest odds.
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Adelaide River
Owner: Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
By Australia, dam won one race from 16 starts at about a mile so not the best bred of the Ballydoyle contingent. Well beaten by Dubai Mile last year and Arrest at Chester though they clearly had hopes for him running in the Chester Vase, a race they had won nine times. Has only raced on heavy. Might improve a bit on better ground and, possibly, over shorter but not opening the batting on the team sheet.
Rating (0-5): *
Current odds: 66/1
Alder
Owner: Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien
Not far behind Auguste Rodin as a two-year-old at Leopardstown last September, semi-respectable runner up in the Dee Stakes at Chester when favourite. Another by Australia. Wins have come at Cork and Killarney, far flung Irish racecourses not normally on the road to Epsom. The son, Donnacha, unlikely to topple the dad, Aidan, with this one.
Rating: **
Current odds: 33/1
Arrest
Owner: Juddmonte
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori
Topical name with protests expected. Sure to be the housewives’ choice with Frankie Dettori up on his 28th and last Derby ride. By all-round superdad Frankel, which is a big plus, definitely stays a mile and a half having won the Chester Vase and has had a spin round Tattenham Corner in a dry run recently but probably a good few lbs more effective on soft ground with his high knee action and size. Might just get away with it on watered good ground.
Rating: ****
Current odds: 6/1
Artistic Star
Owner: Mr J. C. Smith
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Galileo colt who goes into the race with one claim to fame in that he is unbeaten. Late foal – May 27 – which might mean this all comes a bit soon for him physically. Stepped up from a maiden two-year-old to a nice novices stakes victory at Sandown recently and looks a smart horse in the making. In an ideal world the Edward VII at Royal Ascot would be the target as this race comes soon enough. Not the trainer’s usual modus operandi but there is only one Derby.
Rating: ***
Current odds: 40/1
Auguste Rodin
Owner: Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Has always been the apple of Aidan O’Brien’s eye since winning the Futurity, a key two-year-old trial, at Doncaster last October. Race has not worked out since though and he bombed out big style in the Guineas, beating two home and running more like one of his namesake’s statues. By Japanese super-sire Deep Impact, trip no problem and in the right hands but still a leap of faith to see him redeeming self here. Can’t have him at current price.
Rating: ***
Current odds: 4/1